UPDATED: Residents of 2 blocks of flats in Ryde have been evacuated as a result of a fire that has broke out in an external area this morning (Friday).
2 appliances from Ryde are currently on scene at School Street off St John’s Hill, where black smoke is billowing up the side of a building.
The first crew were mobilised by fire control at 10:02.
It is understood the blaze has developed in an open area between the 2 buildings.
UPDATE @ 10:30 – Crews have brought the situation under control and are now damping down the area. A thermal imaging camera is being used to check for any remaining hot spots.
It is understood that a rabbit hutch and other garden material have been destroyed by the fire. It is unknown if any animals have perished.
A number of Police units are now on scene, however it is unknown at this stage if the fire is being treated as suspicious.
St John’s Hill and St John’s Road remain open to traffic.
UPDATE @ 11:08 – The Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (IWFRS) have now stood down from the incident and both appliances are returning to station.
Thankfully, the rabbits housed in the hutch were rescued before it was engulfed in flames.
Although it is unconfirmed, firefighters believe the fire – which measured 2 x 5m – was started by a discarded cigarette.
According to IWFRS, the evacuation of the flats and the attendance of the Police was in relation to a separate incident. It just so happens that the incident occurred at the same time as the fire, in the same location.
